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Statement of Need: Stakeholders have identified gaps in the protections in the current regulation. Revisions to the rule are necessary to better protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from unreasonable adverse effects of pesticide exposure.

Summary of the Legal Basis: 7 U.S.C. 136 through 7 U.S.C. 136y.

Alternatives: Wherever deficiencies in the existing regulation could be adequately addressed through non-regulatory means, EPA has done so. For example, the Agency has developed improved training materials that are sector-specific and in multiple languages; improved capacity for outreach; a train-the-trainer program; health care practitioner (HCP) curricula to train HCPs on pesticide exposure identification and treatment; and a bilingual manual for HCPs to use in identifying pesticide poisonings. The Agency also provides financial support for pesticide safety training.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Incremental costs to agricultural employers are expected to increase as a result of revised requirements for training, notification, and other protections. Incremental costs to commercial pesticide handler employers are expected to decrease. Benefits will accrue to workers' and handlers' health, and improved protection of children is expected to be realized from the proposed revisions.

Risks: Agricultural workers and pesticide handlers are at risk from pesticide exposure through their work activities, and may put their families at risk of secondary exposure. In order to address exposure risks to workers, pesticide handlers, and their families, the Agency is proposing revisions identified by stakeholders and the public.